Summer vacation spot suggestions

Long story short, my family has cottages/RVs/etc in Ontario.  Every summer since 1964 we have spent on the same lake up there for July/Aug.

The first year we missed was last summer because of Covid.  We are hopeful we will be able to get to Ontario this year, but right now it looks like a toss-up.  I'm hoping the cottage and/or RVs aren't completely wasted.

Last summer in lieu of going to Canada, we instead went to Raystown Lake (PA) for a bit and then to Finger Lakes (NY) for a while.  It was lovely, although our type of boating isn't really finger-lakes friendly.  Our boats were a bit undersized for the swells that those lakes tend to get.

Looking for potential spots to spend the summer (or at least a significant portion of it).

Needs:

• Camping - two RVs, one tent.
• Boating - one 16' tri hull and one 18' I/O.  Water can be salt or fresh, and my family loves to fish.
• Attractions - given that this might be a 3-4 week trip, something to do other than stare at each other would be nice.  Also... attractions for us typically means hiking, natural beauty, outdoorsy stuff.  It sometimes includes Disney or something commercial, but usually parks, rivers, waterfalls, etc are more exciting for us than a spa or fine dining.
• Somewhere northern-ish - Mom's cancer and meds make her pretty intolerant to high heat and (myself being in the tent) I'm not too keen on sweating myself to sleep.  We're in PA, so something parallel in climate or further north would be nice.
• prefer 1-2 day drive from PA, which means for the old folks that's about 500-600 miles.

Also, this doesn't have to be a single destination.  It could be two or three in the same general quadrant of the U.S.  Maybe spend a week at location A, then 3 days at B, then.... you get the idea.

For climate reasons and general distance reasons, here is a completely arbitrary and useless picture that vaguely indicates where I was thinking.

Though it's south, it doesn't get the heat thanks to the smokies. I nominate Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge TN areas. 

To the West I would say look into the Petoskey, Mi., top of the mitten area.  Lots of lakes and the big lake to play on.  To the East I would recommend Mt Desert Island/Acadia National Park in Maine. That time of the year I think the top of the island is the first place the sun hits in N. America.

Edit: Not the right time for the first sunrise, it happens about 150miles up the coast at that time. And it just in the USA, not N. America

I'll second the Michigan suggedtion

Lakes Region of New Hampshire, there’s a number of decent campgrounds near Lake Winnipesaukee.   Once in the area besides Winnipesaukee there’s Winnisquam, Newfound, Squam and Ossipee all within a 25 mile radius and Sebago in Maine is roughly an hour away. 

My uncles' cabin can be rented.  Waterfront in Plymouth Mass.  

White Island pond.  Three bedroom one bath, white sand beach in front, rustic area (sand road).  Effing beautiful.  
 

Petoskey, Michigan area, specifically Lake Charlevoix is my "mother land."   My maternal grandparents were both born on the shores of Lake Charlevoix.  My Grandmother in Boyne City, MI and my Grandfather in East Jordan, MI.  I've been many places and this area is one of my favorites in the US.   I think it offers all you would be looking for.  

The main problem will be a camp site in this outdoor crazy, post covid world.  That availability might push you to slightly into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan but lots of great up there too.    Anything north of West Branch, MI should fit your wants but all of it will be availability stressed.  

Echoing what others have written: 

Michigan - northwest Lower Peninsula.  Many clear lakes with sandy bottoms.  Several pleasant towns that are set up for tourists.

New Hampshire - Lakes Region

Also consider Lake George, NY and Lake Champlain, on the Vermont side

Closer to home but outside your red line: Upper Chesapeake - I'd go with Elk Neck, perhaps Elk Neck State Park. Visit North East for restaurants and shopping. 

Outside the box suggestion: Point to point boating on the Erie Canal, or take the Hudson River up to Fort Edward (near Glens Falls), then take a canal to Lake Champlain

I just found this site while looking for a place for you.  

This one called Silver Leaf puts you right in the area I was talking about.  Seems that $30 per night get you some dirt to temporarily call your own and set up your trailer.  Zero services; no electric, water, etc.  Beautiful country.   This place puts you near a lot but generally it is away from everything.  

This one for $20 per night gets you some dirt near the water farther north in the UP. 

Another for $30 per night in another great area.

captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

Though it's south, it doesn't get the heat thanks to the smokies. I nominate Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge TN areas. 

My first thought was most places in TN, till  I saw his map!

I just realized its been the Peoples Republic of Michigan for covid. Any signs if Gov. Whitmer is going to open things up this summer or is the state legislature going to take some power away from her?

I don't want to steer this political but we need a Michigander to chime in and tell us the word on the street.

jgrewe said:

I just realized its been the Peoples Republic of Michigan for covid. Any signs if Gov. Whitmer is going to open things up this summer or is the state legislature going to take some power away from her?

I don't want to steer this political but I did anyway by referring to it as the People's Republic of Michigan, instead of just mentioning that there could be restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic that would be worth looking into before booking a trip

FTFY

In reply to mtn :

You'd be proud of me, MTN; I didn't let it draw me in! Your fix is spot on.

I'm from Toledo, have tons of friends in Michigan, just using their terms, lol.  In fact they are down here in Florida right now!

In reply to jgrewe :

Me too. St Francis de Sales High School 1984.  I lived so close I walked to school

Whitmer '85, that is why I can remember the Gov's name up north.

From the front door of your Ohio high school you could almost see Michigan. You could certainly walk to Michigan from the school

in the snow. barefoot. up hill. both ways.

We used to ride dirt bikes in the woods just over the Michigan line/ aka my friends back property line.  My Michigan roots got back through my mom, born in St. Joseph. Her grandfather served in the state legislature around WW2, and ended up being the oldest practicing physician in the state.

I learned to Peoples Rep. joke from a few friends that couldn't go to their own cottages last summer and the Gov's husband was trying to pull rank to get his boat put in the water way far away from his home.  Ruling class stuff, lock down for thee, not for me.

03Panther said:

in the snow. barefoot. up hill. both ways.

Here! Wait... 

I dislike snow. Greatly. 
On topic, all I can do is recommend staying about as far from here as possible if heat is a problem. Conversely, if you want a winter destination away from snow and with world class outdoor attractions, y'all are welcome to knock at our door any time. 

https://tnstateparks.com/parks/rock-island

Another place to consider.  I know it's more south than you were looking for and more camping hiking than boating.  But absolutely the coolest waterfalls you'll see.  We went twice last year and will be going again this year.

Lake George/somewhere in the Adirondacks gets my vote.

Awesome suggestions!  You folks never disappoint.

Just learned one thing that might change just wee bit of plans.  National park areas and many state parks are moving more toward not allowing tents for Ursa reasons.  Evidently, nylon fabric isn't very effective at keeping bears out and they've been having more trouble with it.  I am used to tenting in Canada, so it doesn't bother me, but rules are rules.

Not really a big deal at all... I'll either find a private campground (more likely to have full hookups anyway) or I can hurry up and get the overnighter conversion done on the van.

I pitched a bunch of these to the family.  They like the idea of the LP Michigan idea.  It's an area that none of us have explored much, in fact maybe not at all.  I have done the UP a few times, but with the exception of Detroit, I don't think I've even spent more than a day on the Mitten

A little further than your boundaries Curtis but the upper peninsula of MI has a lot of great spots for outdoor activities and typically cools off nicely in the evenings.  Lot of history in the Mackinac area including Mackinac Island itself.  Tahquamenon Falls area is beautiful and lots of hiking/fishing/exploring available.   Copper Harbor area is neat area to poke around too.  Years ago we camped at Muskellunge Lake area.  I'm not a big fishing guy but we caught a lot of pike, perch, and musky on that lake.  
As to MI lock down status, campgrounds are open and were open last summer as well.  Restaurants are open at reduced capacity right now though MI cases are surging currently.  Who knows what will happen this summer but we just booked a cottage and will be camping.  

Sleeping Bear area is great as is Silver Lake sand dunes if you want to drive on the dunes.  Michigan Adventure is a nice amusement park if you want something like that for a day.  It's north of Muskegon.  Grand Haven is a nice little beach front town.  Traverse City and north along Lake MI is great.  Margie has tales of smoked fish in her drink from a few years back.  A chubby Mary was the name if I recall.